Clinical findings and patient outcomes following surgical treatment of chronic gastrointestinal foreign body obstructions in dogs and cats: 72 cases (2010-2020).

The objective of this study was to characterize clinicopathologic factors and outcomes for dogs and cats with chronic small intestinal foreign body obstructions (CFBO). Medical records of 72 dogs and cats diagnosed with CFBO between 2010 to 2020 were reviewed for duration of clinical signs, pre-surgical and intraoperative findings, complications, and outcomes. A chronic foreign body was defined as clinical signs, or the observation of foreign material ingestion, at least 7 days prior to presentation. Twenty-two (31%) patients had a small intestinal resection and anastomosis (SIRA) and were more likely to have longer duration of clinical signs (P = 0.01). Eleven (15%) patients developed major post-operative complications. Sixty-eight (94%) patients survived to follow-up. Although all patients that did not survive (n = 4, 100%) had a SIRA, patients with CFBO had a high survival rate. Therefore, clients should not be deterred from pursuing surgical intervention.